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Link to a Web Page from a Moodle Course

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Students and instructors can create hypertext links anywhere they see an HTML Editor in Moodle. Instructors can also add a URL resource to a Moodle course page. This page explains how to create both kinds of links.

A note about tracking use of resources: Instructors can track whether URLresources have been clicked by students (see Use Reports to Track Student Activity in Moodle). However, hypertext links added with the HTML Editor cannot be tracked, and will not show as Resources in theActivities block.

Create a Hyperlink in Text

Students and instructors can create a link within text (hyperlink) anywhere the HTML Editor appears in Moodle. For example, students can create links in forum posts, and instructors can add links to Labels, Pages, Activity descriptions, etc...

Many instructors use this method to link to Resources or Activities already in a course. For example, if you were asking students to submit a written response to a reading, you could post the reading as a File resource on the course page, then, in the description for the Assignment activity, also provide a hyperlink to that file.

To create a new Label, Activity, Page, Forum post, etc., at the bottom right of a Section, click + Add an activity or resource. The Activity chooser will open. Or click the Edit Settings for an item already in your course.

Drag the cursor to select the text (or image) you would like to make into a link.

On the Settings page for the item, in the text entry box, click the Link icon ( ).

The Create Linkpop-up window will open. In the Enter the URL field, enter the Web address for the link.Note: To create a link to a Resource or Activity already in your Moodle course, on the course page, right-click the link to the item and choose Copy the link address. (Options in the right-click context menu vary depending on the browser in use.)

(optional) To have the link open in a new browser window or tab, check Open in new window.
We recommend using this option with caution, and only when linking outside your Moodle course. Spawning new browser tabs or windows impairs accessibility and is not handled equally well by mobile devices.

Click Create Link. The Create Link window will be closed.

The selected text (or image) will now be hyperlinked and text will appear in a new color. Click Save and return to course (or Post to forum for forum posts), then open the Resource or Activity and click the new link to ensure it opens correctly.

Add a URL Resource to a Course Page

Locate the Section where you will add the link. (If you are using the Collapsed topics format, open the Section.)

At the bottom of the section, click + Add an activity or resource. The Activity chooser will open.

In the Activity chooser, scroll down to the Resources heading and select URL.

Click Add. The Adding a new URL page will open.

In the Adding a new URL page, fill in the required fields.

The Name field controls how the text of the link will appear on your course page.

The Description field will only appear to students if you check Display description on course page (below text entry box).

The External URL field is where you enter the URL of the website you wish to link to.

Click the Appearance heading to view and adjust the settings. Note: For Display, the options to open in a New window or Use pop-up should be used with caution. Spawning new browser tabs or windows impairs accessibility and is not handled equally well by mobile devices

When you have finished choosing settings, scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save and return to course.